Death in the Afternoon Absinthe cocktail

If you like your cocktails with a touch of drama, let us introduce you to Death in the Afternoon. It's a cocktail first invented by Ernest Hemingway.

The recipe was published in a 1935 cocktail book 'So Red the Nose, or Breath in the Afternoon' and contains only two ingredients: absinthe and champagne. It’s a pretty boozy, hardcore cocktail and quite the acquired taste, so we have also included an updated version by cocktail maker Anders Erickson.

The original Death in the Afternoon cocktail recipe

As published in 1935, Hemingway's original instructions were: "Pour one jigger absinthe into a Champagne glass. Add iced Champagne until it attains the proper opalescent milkiness. Drink three to five of these slowly."

That's it. Two ingredients and an invitation to a very long afternoon.

How to make a Death in the Afternoon with a Sussex twist

This version lightens the intensity while keeping the herbal complexity of absinthe and the celebratory sparkle of champagne.

What you'll need to make a Death in the Afternoon

• 25 ml Madame Jennifer Absinthe 

• 7.5 ml lemon juice

• 7.5ml sugar syrup (made with 1.5 parts sugar to 1 part water)

• 75 ml Champagne (approximately) 

Instructions

1. Add a small amount of ice to a mixing glass.

2. Pour in the absinthe, lemon juice and sugar syrup.

3. Stir for 15–20 seconds.

4. Strain into a chilled champagne flute or coupe glass.

5. Top with about 75 ml champagne.

6. Enjoy!

   
   

What does Death in the Afternoon taste like?

Death in the Afternoon is a rich and herbal cocktail. The absinthe brings aniseed and fennel notes, the champagne adds effervescence and dryness, while the lemon and sugar round out the edges. The result is strong but surprisingly elegant. It's the perfect drink for cocktail lovers looking for something adventurous.

A Sussex take on a notorious classic

Absinthe has a history steeped in myth, bohemian glamour, and a touch of controversy. It was popular among 19th-century artists and writers such as Picasso, Ernest Hemingway and Oscar Wilde. The drink is most renowned for its complex herbal character - and legal troubles.

Today, the drink is enjoying a revival, and Madame Jennifer Absinthe is the first Sussex-made Absinthe. At 64% ABV, it is bold and full of character – perfect for classic cocktails like Death in the Afternoon.

Fancy mixing up your own Death in the Afternoon? You can order a bottle of Madame Jennifer Absinthe from our online shop or pop into one of Brighton & Hove’s finest independent wine merchants where our spirits are proudly stocked.

Did you know? Absinthe was banned in France for almost 100 years. It was outlawed in 1915 after a wave of moral panic, and only legalised again in 2011.

Looking for more cocktails inspo?

Check out our Cocktail Recipes page for more drinks to make at home.